AFS Trinity Power Corp. and Ricardo plc plan to jointly market their plug-in hybrid-electric systems for use in fleet vehicles in the U.S. They say the vehicles have a 40-mile all-electric range, a top speed of 87 mph and as much as 75 percent lower maintenance costs than conventional vehicles.

AFS showed a midsize SUV convert for plug-in use in January during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. That vehicle featured an electric motor that powered the rear axle and a flywheel.

The new Extreme Fleet program will focus on building and licensing special-purpose vehicles using either existing or specially designed car, truck and SUV platforms. 

AFS will house the team at its headquarters in Bellevue, Wash. Development work will be conducted at the AFS engineering center in Livermore, Calif., and Ricardo facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The partners say a number of police departments, local government bodies, private fleet operators and federal agencies already have approached them about possible projects.

Ricardo's North American headquarters is in Van Buren Township.